Boozer agrees to Jazz offer

ESPNInsider.com's Chad Ford: "Boozer was set to make the minimum and, according to sources, had his agent, Rob Pelinka, approach the Cavs with a proposal: Don't pick up the option, and in return Boozer would re-sign with the Cavs for the mid-level exception (six years, about $40 million)."

Boozer would benefit because he'd be making about $5 million next season instead of $700,000; Cleveland would benefit because the cost of wrapping him up long-term now is lower than waiting until next summer.

When the league's free-agency market opened July 1, Boozer made his plans clear.

"I want to be in Cleveland. I like it here," he told the Associated Press. "My wife and I are very, very happy here, and I want to be with the Cavaliers. Good things are happening. Now it's up to my agent and the Cavs to work things out."

They did not, and for that the furious Cavs blame Boozer.

"Our actions have been based upon what Carlos told us he wanted," the Cavs said Thursday. "This was also entirely consistent with his public statements in the media July 1."

Here's the hitch: Boozer and Pelinka may have grossly underestimated the market for a power forward with potential.

The Jazz and others, including Denver and perhaps Charlotte, were thrilled to see Boozer available - Utah especially because it could get him for about $17 million less than Martin.

The Jazz decided to test Boozer's loyalty to Cleveland, offering a contract so far over mid-level money that the Cavs would have to virtually gut their team - or at least trade away high-profile players - to retain Boozer.

The wooing apparently began secretly Monday.

That same day, the Jazz secured an agreement to sign a six-year, $50 million offer sheet from Detroit big man Mehmet Okur and agreement on a four-year, $16 contract from returning swingman Gordan Giricek.

By Wednesday, returning starting point guard Carlos Arroyo also had agreed to a four-year, $16-million deal.

Martin - an All-Star power forward seeking a max six-year, $85 million deal - was to visit Thursday.

Late Wednesday night, plans changed. Instead of flying to Salt Lake City from Denver, where they visited the Nuggets on Wednesday, Martin and his agent went to Atlanta, where they were to meet with the Hawks today.

Early Wednesday afternoon, O'Connor tried explaining. "It was really mutual - more on our part than his," he said. "(Martin) was prepared to come. I don't want him to get the bad rap."

Shortly thereafter, why became clear. The Jazz got their guy—if, that is, he keeps his word to them.

The Cavs? They're up in arms. Coach Paul Silas was said to be livid.

Paxson purportedly is mad too, but he's in a pickle: Blaming Boozer for going back on his word is akin to admitting a seemingly impermissible deal was prematurely in place; saying nothing is akin to admitting the mistake is his.

Paxson now may even be in danger in losing his job, some speculate already.

Boozer, meanwhile, was quiet Thursday. He did not even take part in a USA Basketball teleconference call heralding his Olympic-team selection, working a basketball camp in New York instead.

Pelinka, who also represents Kobe Bryant and ex-Jazz guard DeShawn Stevenson, did not return telephone messages.

O'Connor? He seems to be enjoying what so far is one rather-delightful summer.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com